Glossary

BullThe black centre ring of the target, worth 10 points; also known as "bullseye" and "10 ring".

Centre lineA line across the piste, or playing strip, dividing it into two equal halves.

CombinationIn the riding discipline, a series of jumps one or two strides apart.

Cross countryA race run across mostly rough terrain, as opposed to a pristine track.

DisobedienceIn the riding discipline, a general term for a horse''s refusal, run-out, resistance, turning in a circle or deviating from the course.

Double hitSuccessful contact with the sword by both fencers recorded within .04 of a second of each other, cancelling out the hit by each except in epee competition.

En gardeFrench for "on guard", the position that fencers take before a bout begins.

FaultIn the riding discipline, a unit of scoring equal to each point a rider is penalised for committing an error.

FreestyleA race where the swimmers may use any stroke they choose, which typically is the crawl.

Hit1. A target that has been hit and broken by the shooter. 2. In fencing, a point scored by a touch with the tip of the blade of a foil or epee or the edge of the blade of a sabre against any part of the opponent''s body in the target.

LungeThe basic attack in fencing where a fencer closes the distance with his or her opponent by moving the front leg forward while the back leg remains stationary and straightens out.

PisteFrench for the playing strip where a fencing bout occurs; also called a "strip".

RefusalA horse''s act of stopping in front of an obstacle, penalised unless the horse then clears the obstacle without having to improve its run-up.

RiposteA counterattack by a fencer who just has blocked an attack by the opponent.

Run-outA horse''s attempt to escape the rider''s control and avoid an obstacle it is supposed to jump.

Show jumpingAn equestrian event where each horse must clear a number of obstacles on a set course within a specified time.

SightersPractice shots fired at the beginning of a match to check sight adjustments, which do not count towards the final score.

SplitA swimmer''s intermediate time in a race, registered every 50 metres, to judge the swimmer''s pace.

SpreadA show jumping obstacle with an element of width, not just height.

StringA series of shots, normally five or ten.

Touch1. In fencing, a hit with the point of the weapon, scoring a point. 2. In swimming, to touch the end of the pool with the hand or hands, completing a race or relay.

TurnThe turnaround by a swimmer at the end of the pool following each lap.

Warning lineA line two metres inside the rear line warning a fencer he or she is near the end of the piste.